Dusit Thani College (DTC), Thailand’s hospitality education institute under Dusit International, has partnered with Alkhaleej Training and Education to introduce its Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia.
Alkhaleej becomes DTC’s first global licence partner, marking the start of wider international expansion.
TOP is a six‑month pathway combining more than 280 hours of practical learning with a two‑month classroom phase and a four‑month internship at leading hotels in the Dusit portfolio and with local partners. Graduates are prepared for entry‑level roles in culinary, pastry, food and beverage, and guest service.
Alkhaleej, which has over 30 years of experience in vocational training across 60 centres nationwide, will deliver TOP at its Riyadh training centre. This makes DTC the first non‑Swiss hospitality school to introduce a formal, internationally benchmarked skills‑based programme in the Kingdom.
The launch in January 2026 will be accompanied by specialised TOP UP short courses for baristas, concierge professionals and luxury service roles, alongside B2B upskilling modules in areas such as digital marketing, cost control, housekeeping, OTA optimisation, pricing, banqueting and HR. Graduates seeking degree‑level qualifications will also have a direct pathway to DTC’s Bangkok campus, including four‑year BBA programmes in Hospitality Management and Professional Culinary Arts.
According to the WTTC, travel and tourism is expected to contribute more than 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2025, with employment projected to reach 2.7 million jobs. Demand for large‑scale training pathways is rising as the country accelerates its tourism transformation.
“By licensing TOP to esteemed international partners such as Alkhaleej, we aim to support national tourism strategies, strengthen local workforces, and create meaningful pathways for upskilling, reskilling and career transitions,” said John Lohr, executive director of external affairs, Dusit Thani College.
Hatem Aldryaan, CEO of Alkhaleej Training and Education, added: “TOP represents a practical, employment‑focused model that directly links training with real job opportunities. It arrives at a pivotal moment for the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality growth.”
Dusit International will also debut hotel management in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah, Riyadh, in 1Q2026.
